Upcycling an Alternative

Today we'd like to feature some people who are out there making a difference in a consumerist world. Every day we need things, want things, run out of things, replace things, and consume things. The trick is, they don't have to be completely new things. There are some lovely upcycled options that give new life to objects that would otherwise be headed to a landfill near you. So sit back, relax, and take a second look at what trash has to offer:

Need a new notebook? Don't you dare head to the Great Wall of Mart! Turn your eyes over here to Ivy Lane Designs, where all kinds of used boxes have been salvaged for your writing (or drawing) pleasure. They have all sizes and styles from cereal to jello, so go check out their shop here.


Ever watched the luggage carousel spin round with dozens of identical suitcases? Ever had an airport brawl over a bag that turned out not to be yours? Never fear! With these paint chip tags by TagOneOn, you can confidently yell at the top of your lungs "Hey Buddy, that's mine!". See them here.


Nothing is more fun than having a festive cook out. This year, pick up some funky lanterns by Mariposa Avenue. They are all cut by hand from upcycled food cans and powder coated for durability. These will start a great conversation and cast a magical glow at any get together. See more here.

Keep A Weather Eye On the Horizon

I love drawing facial features as many have noticed from our ink blots. If there are teeth, or eyes, or lips thrown in there, I probably did it. This is another colored pencil drawing that hopefully will converted into a brooch soon. We've run into a few snags on that project, but keep a look out. We'll be sure to post pictures as soon as they are completed.

Also on the horizon:
If you are anywhere near Augusta, GA during first Friday on March 7th, we will be downtown at Vintage 965. They are doing an eco-themed show and we have been invited to go hang out, meet people and make some jewelry. We'd love to meet some fellow etsians, or anyone else for that matter, so drop by and see us if you can. :) We've been gearing up for this event for about a month now, so we aren't listing anything new in our shop until March 9th. In addition, we will be taking most of our items from our shop to the event, so if there is anything you have your eye on, shout at us now! Hope everyone has a great week!

So Long Kanunu... It's Been Real.

I've found that I'm really really bad about getting attached to certain pieces. (Which could be why we have an entire wall full of Ink Blot illustrations. ) Right after creation, you say to the piece, "you're pretty cool, but I can let you go". And then you list it. And then a few days go by. And then a few months go by. Pretty soon, you're used to seeing that piece like a friendly face. It greets you in the morning and you think, "it's nice having you around, and no one has bought you yet, so maybe you'll just stay". That familiarity has been built and it's comforting. And then the day comes when you log on and a piece is missing from the list! "Yay! Oh wait, not you! Not you who have slowly become my favorite without me realizing it! Surely, there has been a mistake! You can't leave me!!!" But it is no mistake. Kanunu is on his way to Ohio, where I'm sure he will be loved very much.

Don't get me wrong, I love selling items. (Please don't slap me!) I just wish they left sooner, so I would get so attached to them! Goodbye dear friend. You will be missed :'{

Tastes Like Purple…

I really can't explain why, but Michael has been muttering "tastes like purple" for the past couple of days, so when a treasury opened up- well, it just made sense. Or at least more sense than he is making. Please visit the lovely items here.

Recipe For Disaster

Step 1. Watch in terror as the bowl glides downward toward the coffee table, hits the edge, turns 45 degrees, and launches at the new white couch.

Step 2. Exhale sharply at the final SPLAT! that even Pollock would be proud of.

Step 3. Run as though you are being chased by gigantic blood sucking fire ants to the bathroom to grab every towel like object. Wet them quickly before beaming back to the wounded furniture.

Step 4. Yell for backup.

Step 5. Ignore carpet, clothing, and any other casualties of soup while you gingerly scrap bean and corn off of the wound site. Clean the wound carefully and completely.

Step 6. Resume breathing.

My blood pressure appears to be back to normal and all I can say is Pottery Barn makes a fantastic couch. I'm very thankful for all of the fabric tests we did before purchasing it. Sorry there aren't pictures, but I was too busy panicking to take any. Even after the disaster, it looks as good as new. *whew*

2 cans of Black Beans (not drained)
1 can whole kernel corn (not drained)
1 diced tomato
1/2 diced onion
2 limes zested and juiced
1 packet of ham bullion (optional)
1 can chicken broth (optional)
1 tbs chili powder
shredded cheese
chopped cilantro

In a pot, heat the black beans, corn, and onion on medium heat until onion is soft. Add broth, ham bullion, and chili powder and mix well. Cook about 10 minutes. Add tomato, lime juice and zest and cook for another 5 minutes. Top with cheese and cilantro. Serve. Don't spill.

A Quick Recap

This is just a quick recap of our Ink Blot process. Thank you to our reader Jodie for the request :)

Not long after we started dating, Michael was moving into a new apartment. While helping him pack, I opened one of his sketch books and became incredibly confused. I couldn't figure out how he had gotten one of my sketchbooks! I turned several pages before realizing that they weren't my drawings. While I recognized the style and shapes, I didn't recoginize the complete images. It turns out we've been drawing the same types of images since before we even met. So, it just made sense to start drawing them together.

We sit down with a piece of bristol board and one person draws a shape. Then the other person adds a shape. We don't know what we're going to draw, it just slowly emerges on the page. (And it's all in ink from the beginning, so no mistakes, no changes!) I guess you could say that the ink blots represent two intertwining souls. They might not be perfect, but they represent the twisted thoughts of two kindred spirits.

After working on bristol for a long time, we started drawing directly on dominoes and converting them into pendants. This provides a slightly cheaper, but still original drawing for those who don't want to buy a large framed piece. We are currently working on some new fun versions of the blots that will be released in early March, so keep an eye out :)

I'm Seeing Spots

We finished this little blot in January and I think it got overlooked, so here it is! Stars are back by popular demand and I swear one of Grandma's doilies squeezed in there! The Ink Blot Dominoes are actually doing pretty well. We really need to focus on them some more. We have a big event in March that we are currently throwing all of our creative energy at (more on that later :) so the shop has taken a temporary back seat. But don't worry; we have some great plans that hopefully will be ready for Spring. We'll keep you posted.

Well Lick My Lips and Call Me Luscious!

Dangerously seductive pulse raising just bitten lusciously red.....lips. Color Theory in colored pencil for illustration friday.

Well, since we just posted the weather wheel, I thought we'd have a circular weekend. This is the first in a series of little colored pencil drawings I'm working on. I plan on turning them into little brooches adorned with little upcycled parts. Each one will be completely unique with an original drawing. No prints will be used.
I've always loved blood red lipstick. It reminds me of the 40's starlets. Mouths aren't bad either. I have a series of mouths in different mediums called "Progression of a Smile". I'll have to dig them up and post a picture one day.

Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day :)
*kisses*

Do You Think God has a Weather Wheel?

This is my submission for Illustration Friday "choose". After the weather we've had this week, I'm convinced that God just spins the dial and goes, "Well that's going to be weird, but ok!". Let's see- Tuesday it's nearly 70 degrees and fine. Wednesday it looks like flurries. Hello???

The illustration is really all about the icons. I'm working on them for another (much more complete) mystery project :) The rest is just a quick layout to display them.

On another note, Michael just finished taking a bunch of pictures, so hopefully we can clue everyone in on some other fun things coming up soon.

We're In the Storque!!!!

Thank you so much to the guys and gals at the Storque for including our "Etsy Love Story". Please help us celebrate by reading the article here.

Just Being Silly

Just a couple of kids being goofy on a Monday night. That is our blot wall behind us. It is the home of all of the Ink Blots we've decided to keep. Some of them are just too close to being family. There are empty frames too, for the ones that haven't been "born" yet. They already have a spot waiting patiently.

Ode to Les Misérables

I'm a big fan of Les Mis. I have several copies of the book, both abridged and unabridged, the earliest from 1947. I love the musical version (don't tease me) and have several copies of it in different arrangements. (Definitely see the musical on stage. It is very smartly done.) This is a digital illustration of Cosette, a character from the story. It is actually a much larger piece, but I've chosen to crop it down to her face. I took some her features from Emile Bayard's famous Cosette portrait, because he was Victor Hugo's favorite illustrator and I imagine that Mr. Hugo probably also saw her this way. I taught a little girl once that I thought looked just like her.

Have a great day :)

Where Does Your Art Explode?

I've always had a problem with "containing" my creativity. I don't mean "containing" it deep within my soul or heart or brain, or like your mother means it when she says, "Please contain yourself!". No, I mean that when that creative urge strikes, it might strike in the kitchen, the living room floor, the closet- you just never know. It's never a convenient place, or time (like when other people are trying to walk), and it is very likely that that creative urge will die down long before the brilliant idea has been fulfilled. This situation often leads to that artistic explosion living on until the next creative urge strikes, thus creating yet another artistic village of crafting supplies somewhere in the house. Take for example- my desk. As you read this, I am elbow deep in colored pencils. "Why not put them away?" you ask. But I'm not done drawing!!! "Well, finish drawing then." you say.

I will... when I'm ready. And I happen to not be ready.